Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed an emotional and unforgettable moment as Nitish Kumar Reddy's family surprised him in his hotel room after he scored his maiden Test century.
The 21-year-old all-rounder's knock of 105 not out was a testament to perseverance and grit, earning applause from fans and cricket legends alike. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a heartwarming video capturing the moment Reddy's parents and sister embraced him.

His father, Mutyalu Reddy, broke down upon meeting Nitish, saying, "Nitish played really well today. I'm very proud. We've struggled a lot. We're thankful to the Indian team." His mother couldn't hold back her tears, and his sister, Tejaswi, expressed her joy, adding, "It has not been an easy journey for him. He said it, he did it."
Nitish walked in at a precarious 191/6, steering India to 358/9 at stumps through a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar. His century not only marked his first international ton but also made him the third-youngest Indian batter, after Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant, to score a Test century in Australia.
Nitish also became the first Indian to score a century batting at number 8 in Australia and the first visiting batter to achieve this feat at the iconic MCG. His celebration included iconic poses inspired by "Pushpa" and "Baahubali," delighting fans.
The knock was widely lauded, with cricketing greats Sunil Gavaskar, Adam Gilchrist, and Michael Vaughan praising his resilience. Gavaskar even gave him a standing ovation from the commentary box.
The Reddy family's unwavering support, despite financial struggles, played a pivotal role in Nitish's journey. Mutyalu Reddy had left a stable job to support his son's cricketing aspirations, enduring challenges to help him reach this milestone.
As rain interrupted play, Nitish remained unbeaten alongside Mohammed Siraj, keeping India's hopes alive. The emotional reunion with his family highlighted the culmination of years of sacrifice and determination, making this achievement even more special.